Bill is right, of course. Most in hive contamination comes from beekeepers. Whether this is as harmful as environmental contamination is another story. Most in hive chemicals have been chosen because of their relatively benign effect on bees versus their lethality to pests and parasites. On the other hand, synergistic effects have only begun to be evaluated. However, organic farming practices are not based upon science, in any case, but by a philosophical objection to anything discovered after 1900.

> Tau-fluvalinate, coumaphos and endosulfan residues were the most frequently occurring residues (61.9, 52.2 and 23.4% of samples respectively). Coumaphos was found in the highest average quantities (792.6 μgkg−1). Residues of cypermethrin, lindane and deltamethrin were found in 21.9, 4.3 and 2.4% of samples respectively. Beeswax contamination was the result of
both in-hive acaricide treatments and, to a much lesser extent, environmental pollution. -- Pesticide residues in beeswax samples collected from honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) in France. Marie-Pierre Chauzat∗ and Jean-Paul Faucon. Pest Manag Sci 63:1100–1106 (2007)

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